Sweet Dumpling Squash

This roasted Sweet Dumpling Squash is the perfect fall vegetable. It only takes 30 minutes start to finish with only 3 ingredients.

Pin

There are so many fun winter squash available now at store, farmer’s markets and farm stands. Be brave and give some of them a try. We find they are even tastier than butternut squash, which has traditionally been the squash that is most widely available.

What is sweet dumpling squash

This squash is similar in size to a small acorn squash with the same type of hard skin but it is predominantly white with green or green and orange mottled skin. We find it sweeter and more flavorful than acorn squash. It works well for both sweet and savory recipes.

Pin

As with all the squash, sweet dumpling is an easy crop to grow and is well suited to growing in northern growing zones. Like the other squash varieties, they want adequate moisture and well drained soils to produce in quantity.

Like all of the winter squash, they have a long shelf life, especially if they are stored in a cool area like a root cellar. 50°F/ 30°C is the optimal temperature to store them at. They will also store in the refrigerator for several months.

Unlike acorn squash, the skin of the sweet dumpling is edible. This is great since you don’t have to peel it, especially if cooking it by boiling, instant pot or in the microwave. If you roast it the skin can still be pretty tough, so if you’d like roast it, just scoop the flesh out as you would with an acorn.

The taste is somewhat nutty and sweeter than acorn squash with a creamy texture.

We prefer roasting the winter squash because it brings out the inherent sweetness of the vegetable.

What you need for this recipe

• squash – choose firm squash
• maple syrup – we used a maple and cinnamon infused maple syrup which was outstanding. You could also substitute honey, or brown sugar
• butter – use softened butter. You can substitute olive oil or coconut oil to make this recipe vegan.
• pepper – use freshly ground black pepper
• sea salt or kosher salt

Pin

How to make it

Pro tip: Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Roast the squash in the oven for about 40 minutes until soft when pierced with a fork.

What else can you do with this squash?

If you’d like to boil it, you can do that too. Just peel it first, it is easiest to peel if you cut it into slices between the ribs. Boil for about 15 minutes until it easily pierces with a fork.

To microwave. Place on a microwave safe plate, cut side down with 2 tablespoons of water. Microwave for 5 minutes. Turn it over and microwave an additional 4-5 minutes, until tender.

To cook in the Instant Pot. Prepare squash. Add trivet and one cup of water to the Instant Pot. Close lid. Turn vent to seal. Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.

Pin

How to use it for sweet recipes

Cook the squash by one of the 4 methods above. Scoop out the meat if you cooked it halved. At this point, you can freeze it or use it right away.

You can then use it for quick breads, cakes and cookies, pies, pudding, cheesecake, waffles and pancakes, brownies, fudge and the like. Substitute this squash for any pumpkin or butternut squash recipe.

It pairs especially well with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and vanilla for sweet recipes.

How to use it for savory recipes

Serve the squash as a side dish for any dinner, it goes especially well with poultry, beef and pork. You can also stuff the squash with meats, cheeses, dried fruits, nuts and more.

You can flavor it with optional spices for a side dish, it pairs especially well with sage, thyme and oregano.

Make soups, add it to stews. Again substitute this sweet squash for any savory recipe that calls for pumpkin or any of the other winter squash.

Pin

Helpful tools

• chef’s knife
• extra large bamboo cutting board
• Rimmed baking sheet

More fall recipes

• Dairy free pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin quick bread
• Roasted butternut squash
• How to cook pumpkin
• Roasted pumpkin seeds
• Butternut soup
• Blue Hubbard Squash
• Honeynut Squash

Pin

Connect with us through our social media ages! Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter.

If you have any questions or comments, please ask in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!

I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

📖 Recipe

Originally published December 2, 2022.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you go to the link and purchase something at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure here.